The Authority, which is a statutory body, was established in March 1971 by the Road Traffic (Road Safety and Traffic Authority) Act 1970 (No.8058) and in accordance with provisions of the Road Traffic Act 1958. It was responsible in turn to the Chief Secretary (1971-1979), the Minister for Police and Emergency Services (1979-1981), and the Minister of Transport (1981-1983) for the planning and implementation of measures to improve road safety and traffic management in Victoria, including the implementation of the state wide Intersection Control program. The Authority also undertook research into road accident prevention practices and traffic management techniques and conducted publicity campaigns on road safety. These functions were previously undertaken by the Country Roads Board (VA 722) on behalf of the Traffic Commission, a co-ordinating body made up of representatives from all the authorities with responsibilities relating to traffic, including the Chief Commissioner of Police (VA 724), Country Roads Board and Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works (VA 1007). See the Road Traffic Act 1956 for details of the establishment of the Traffic Commission. In 1983 the responsibilities of the Authority passed to the newly established Road Traffic Authority (VA 1036).

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